Public housing has been part of this nation's fabric since 1937 when passage of the Housing Act created the United States Housing Agency and enabled the U.
S.
government to subsidize state- and local-level public housing agencies.
Over the years and decades, federal involvement in public housing has expanded as the government has sought to continually improve living conditions for low-income residents.
Along the way, regulations were enacted to guarantee residents' safety, and the residents themselves were subjected to requirements.
Two of the most controversial were requirements that public housing residents participate in community service and attend money management workshops.
These requirements have often stirred disagreements, and have been objected to by affordable housing advocates who believe the quid pro quo is unfair at best and discriminatory at worst.
The provisions require anyone residing in public housing to participate in community service at least 8 hours a month, and spend at least an additional 8 hours a month in workshops designed to teach financial self-sufficiency skills like budgeting.
There are a few exemptions, including for those over 62 years of age and those who are disabled.
In addition, people who meet certain work requirements are also exempt.
Over the years, legislators have tried to repeal these requirements, but none have succeeded.
One of the latest to try is Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY 15th).
Congressman Rangel has long been a proponent of affordable housing.
He was part of the team that developed and helped pass legislation that - 40 years ago - created the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), which helps fuel private funding in affordable housing projects.
He has steadily fought for affordable housing ever since.
Now, he's advocating a new bill that would change the much argued about public housing requirements.
Late last year, Rep.
Rangel introduced the Public Housing Tenants Respect Act of 2011 (H.
R.
3564).
The short and simple bill would "repeal the requirements under the United States Housing Act of 1937 for residents of public housing...
" Specifically, it would eliminate tenant requirements to participate in community service and "economic self-sufficiency programs.
" Rangel argues that these are "burdensome requirements" placed on people who often are already working hard to make a better life for their families.
He believes it creates barriers, decreasing the accessibility of affordable housing.
Opponents of the measure believe that, if nothing else, the money workshop requirement should remain in place.
Financial literacy, they argue, is vital to long-term economic success.
They point to studies which indicate that people who have even a basic understanding how to budget and plan for larger monetary expenditures experience fewer financial crises and need less assistance throughout their lives.
H.
R.
3564 was introduced in December and referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
The Committee has not indicated that it intends to conduct a hearing on the bill anytime soon, and it has received very little attention outside the Beltway.
S.
government to subsidize state- and local-level public housing agencies.
Over the years and decades, federal involvement in public housing has expanded as the government has sought to continually improve living conditions for low-income residents.
Along the way, regulations were enacted to guarantee residents' safety, and the residents themselves were subjected to requirements.
Two of the most controversial were requirements that public housing residents participate in community service and attend money management workshops.
These requirements have often stirred disagreements, and have been objected to by affordable housing advocates who believe the quid pro quo is unfair at best and discriminatory at worst.
The provisions require anyone residing in public housing to participate in community service at least 8 hours a month, and spend at least an additional 8 hours a month in workshops designed to teach financial self-sufficiency skills like budgeting.
There are a few exemptions, including for those over 62 years of age and those who are disabled.
In addition, people who meet certain work requirements are also exempt.
Over the years, legislators have tried to repeal these requirements, but none have succeeded.
One of the latest to try is Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY 15th).
Congressman Rangel has long been a proponent of affordable housing.
He was part of the team that developed and helped pass legislation that - 40 years ago - created the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), which helps fuel private funding in affordable housing projects.
He has steadily fought for affordable housing ever since.
Now, he's advocating a new bill that would change the much argued about public housing requirements.
Late last year, Rep.
Rangel introduced the Public Housing Tenants Respect Act of 2011 (H.
R.
3564).
The short and simple bill would "repeal the requirements under the United States Housing Act of 1937 for residents of public housing...
" Specifically, it would eliminate tenant requirements to participate in community service and "economic self-sufficiency programs.
" Rangel argues that these are "burdensome requirements" placed on people who often are already working hard to make a better life for their families.
He believes it creates barriers, decreasing the accessibility of affordable housing.
Opponents of the measure believe that, if nothing else, the money workshop requirement should remain in place.
Financial literacy, they argue, is vital to long-term economic success.
They point to studies which indicate that people who have even a basic understanding how to budget and plan for larger monetary expenditures experience fewer financial crises and need less assistance throughout their lives.
H.
R.
3564 was introduced in December and referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
The Committee has not indicated that it intends to conduct a hearing on the bill anytime soon, and it has received very little attention outside the Beltway.
Source...